New study funds carbon monoxide screening on scene

An idea that originated from our frontline staff has turned into a funded, 15-month study into the need for carbon monoxide screening on scene.

The Gas Safety Trust will be funding the EEAST screening study, starting in May, and will determine whether screening patients at home for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be effectively carried out, and so become part of the routine observations that are undertaken.

In addition, by using ambient air analysers the study will identify the number of patients exposed to carbon monoxide who call 999, their clinical presentation and staff views and experiences about pre-hospital screening for CO.

Research Manager Theresa said: “I’m thrilled that the Trust has been awarded this study, which will allow us to gather evidence about the need for ambulance clinicians to screen patients for carbon monoxide.

“This idea originated from our frontline crews, so we look forward to sharing the findings with them. We hope there will be national interest in the outputs from this work, so we are very grateful to the Gas Safety Trust for this opportunity.”

It’s hoped that the data sample will include around 20,000 measurements taken over the course of the study.

Published 15th February 2015